Sfoof Cupcakes

Turmeric Anointment

A 'pujari' adorns the stone statuette of Goddess Durga outside a temple in Kanchipuram with yellow turmeric paste. | Source

Turmeric ~

In my quest to uncover the amazing benefits of natural ingredients in homemade beauty products, a surprising giant in terms of benefits to the skin has been turmeric spice or turmeric powder.

I knew more about it for its culinary uses in Asian cuisine than in beauty I have to admit.

After some extensive research this golden powder is a stranger no more as a natural skin care ingredient.

This exotic member of the ginger family is much more than a flavoring and color for dishes.

A powerful and inexpensive beauty aid it has fabulous skin cleansing properties for a glowing skin.

What is fascinating is the long history and traditions linked to turmeric in Asian ceremonies, culture and beauty.

The most well known ceremony is the use of turmeric in the age old wedding tradition of ‘haldi’ where turmeric paste is applied to the brides face and arms.

This rich golden colored powder has many uses in Ayurvedic skin care beauty treatments which may be easily made at home.

Turmeric has been enjoyed by Indian women for thousands of years.

In the south of India for example, women have bathed using turmeric to avoid unwanted hair growing on their face and body.

When they start using turmeric from an early age it is said to prevent hair growth. While not typically practiced nowadays in the larger cities, it is still used in villages in southeast India, particularly by married women.

Turmeric Rhizomes

rhizomes are also known as rootstock and are not visible above ground. similar in appearance to ginger. | Source

Turmeric Beauty Benefits ~

Anti-Inflammatory

Anti-Bacterial

Antiseptic

Skin Brightening

Rich in Antioxidants

Helps Acne

Anti-Wrinkle Treatment

Cracked Heels

Fungal Infections

Skin Healing properties

Skin Exfoliator

Chapped Lips

Reduce Body Hair Growth

Evens Out Skin Pigmentation

Prevents Stretch Marks (during pregnancy)

Important Info ~

Before using any ingredients on the skin for the first time, do a patch test to check for any sensitivity or skin irritations. If you have any known or suspected allergies, do not use any ingredients until you have checked with a doctor. If you have a medical condition or are taking any medication, always double check with a doctor beforehand.

Turmeric Beauty Recipes ~

Let’s now take a look at a variety of beauty secrets of the Indian culture which use turmeric to benefit their skins.

Many of these quick and easy recipes are using ingredients commonly found in the kitchen cupboards or fridges.

If you find you don’t have them, they should be easily sourced at health food stores, Asian convenience stores, local food markets or supermarkets.

Turmeric Powder

The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin and turmeric is member of the species Curcuma longa. | Source

Facial Masks ~

Skin Brightening Mask

Traditionally used the day before the wedding in Indian ceremonies by the bride and bridegroom, it is fantastic in eliminating blemishes, brightens the complexion, evens the skin tone and leaves the skin soft and supple. It may be used by all skin types once or twice a week. Mix together 2 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp milk. Add a pinch of turmeric powder and a few drops of an edible oil of choice, and form a paste. Apply to a cleansed skin and leave for 15-20 minutes. Remove with lukewarm water and finish with a splash of cold water to close the pores. Apply your regular moisturizer. If you are stuck, why not useOlive Oil,Jojoba Oil or Coconut Oil directly on the skin as they all make superb skin moisturizers. These next few masks are ideal deep pore and skin cleansers leaving the skin glowing, super soft and smooth.

Oily Skin Facial Mask

Mix together 2 tbsp of sandalwood powder and milk with a drop of lemon juice and a pinch of turmeric powder until in a paste. Apply to the face, avoiding the eye area. Leave until dry and gently rinse off with lukewarm water followed by a splash of cold water. Apply your regular moisturizer as before.

Dry Skin Facial Mask

Add 1 egg white to a bowl and then add 2-3 drops each of olive oil,rosewater and fresh lemon juice. Mix well and add a pinch of turmeric. Combine ingredients and apply this to the face and neck. Leave for 15 minutes and remove with cold water. Finish with your normal moisturizer.

Normal Skin Facial mask

Mash 3-4 strawberries with 1 tbsp cornstarch and a pinch of turmeric to form a paste. Apply this to your face, avoiding the delicate eye area. Leave until dry and remove with tepid water, followed by a splash of cold. Apply your moisturizer by using facial massage on yourself.

Milk is Great for Acne

milk is an easy home remedy for natural beauty. | Source

The Benefits Of Turmeric Or HaldiTurmeric or Haldi, an Indian spice used in everyday cooking in Asian cooking is one of the most powerful healing spices and one of the healthy foods. To know more about the use of turmeric as a healer in disease, read on......

Turmeric Facial Scrub for Acne ~

This will help dry up acne quickly. Mix together 1-2 tsp turmeric powder, a few drops of mustard oil and a few drops of fresh lemon juice to form a paste. Apply to the acne and massage gently in circular movements.

Leave on the skin for 10-15 minutes and remove with tepid water. Slash cold water and pat the skin dry with a towel. Moisturize as normal with an appropriate oil free lotion. This scrub may be used every other day up to 3 times weekly.

Tip

Drinking a glass of warm milk with a pinch of turmeric will help boost your system to eliminate the acne whilst increasing the immune system.

Treatment for Acne

Taking a tbsp of turmeric powder, add 1 tbsp cucumber juice and a few drops of coconut oil or jojoba oil. This should form a cream like texture. Apply to the acne and the surrounding skin. Leave on for at least 20 minutes or if you wish, leave on overnight.

Treatment for Scars

Turmeric is highly beneficial as an anti-scarring ingredient. Mix together 1 tbsp turmeric with a few drops of milk. Apply to the scars and leave for 15 minutes. Remove with warm water then cold and pat the skin dry.

Sugar Cane Fields

Anti-Wrinkle Recipes ~

Anti-Aging for Eyes

For fighting the signs of aging around the eyes, mix a pinch of turmeric with 2 tbsp buttermilk. Apply this around the entire eye area and wash off with cold water after 15 minutes. With regular use, this will help minimize wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes whilst reducing dark circles under the eyes.

Anti-Aging for Face

For the face, mixing turmeric with sugarcane juice is an effective wrinkle buster minimizing facial lines. Remove after 20 minutes with tepid water and a splash of cold water. Apply your normal skin moisturizer.

Chapped Lips

Turmeric powder mixed with milk may be applied to the face and lips. On the lips it acts as a healing agent whilst on the face it is a great skin cleanser. For something different, try a sugar lip scrub recipewhich will remove dead skin cells, re-hydrates dry chapped lips and keeps the lips soft and supple during the colder weather.

Coconut Oil

the skin loves coconut oil and it is incorporated in many homemade skin and beauty products. | Source

Have you used turmeric on your skin before?

Cracked Heels

Mix together 3 tbsp turmeric powder with a few drops of coconut oil to form a paste. Apply to cracked heels. Apply at least twice a week until you start to see an improvement.

Turmeric has natural skin healing properties. Treating yourself to a homemade foot scrubis a great additional treatment to use which will benefit the entire foot by removing dead skin cells, reducing hard skin and eliminating dry flaky skin leaving the foot soft, nourished and smooth.

Another winner for cracked heels is to mix turmeric powder with castor oil about 10 minutes before taking a bath or shower. As with many other treatments, you need to do this regularly until your heels are back to being in good condition.

Body Scrub

Take 3-4 tbsp gram flour, add tsp turmeric and mix to a paste by adding a few drops of water. Adjust quantities if needed to get the consistency.

Apply to the body just prior to showering or bathing. Massage in for 5 minutes to remove all the dead skin cells. Fresh new skin cells will give the skin a more healthy uniform skin tone whilst leaving it soft, supple and smooth.

Reduce Body Hair

Mix warm coconut oil with turmeric and apply on the body to help reduce body hair growth.

Author Info ~

Information on the author, her bio and full body of works available @Suzie HQ

Beauty Recipes with Turmeric Comments

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Lisa Jane

9 months agofrom Washington

Love this article. Very interesting information on turmeric.

AUTHOR

Suzanne Ridgeway

5 years agofrom Dublin, Ireland

Hi Varsa,

Thanks for the query. Yes is the answer just pick one suited to your skin type. Hope that is okay! Enjoy trying one out it is a fabulous ingredient steeped in history!

Varsha

5 years ago

I m 16 years girl can I use this packs

AUTHOR

Suzanne Ridgeway

5 years agofrom Dublin, Ireland

Hi Vespa, Oh delighted to hear that!! I am now going to toss around titles of blog. I did some awhile ago to see if my choices were available and a few were. Very keen to get it going. A few ideas for different websites so the mind is boggling or should I say blogging!! Thanks for the support, watch this space!!

vespawoolf

5 years agofrom Peru, South America

A blog is a great idea! I'll be the first to follow it!

AUTHOR

Suzanne Ridgeway

5 years agofrom Dublin, Ireland

Hi Vespa,

many thanks for your comments here! I was fascinated to find out it's extensive use for the skin, never mind it's culinary use! Glad to hear you are really enjoying these, I am seriously looking at a blog/website just for these types of articles based on the response they have received. Really appreciate your encouragement and support!!

vespawoolf

5 years agofrom Peru, South America

I had no idea turmeric has so many uses. It's grown here in Peru and is very common, so I'm keen to try it soon. I was especially surprised that it's good for anti-aging when mixed with sugarcane juice, which is also easy to find here. (and yummy to drink, too!) What great tips--I can't get enough of your Hubs, Suzanne!

AUTHOR

Suzanne Ridgeway

5 years agofrom Dublin, Ireland

Hi Casimiro,

Dying to learn more about your part of the world! Many thanks for the interest here. How cool to be fortunate to have the climate to grow Turmeric. Hope your wife finds this interesting and tries some recipes out. Thanks for the votes and bookmark!!

Casimiro

5 years ago

Suzie, bookmarked this one. My wife will be very interested in this. We grow our own tumeric roots, though we haven't made powder from them yet. Voted up!

AUTHOR

Suzanne Ridgeway

5 years agofrom Dublin, Ireland

Hi torrilynn,

Great to see you again! Turmeric is a great spice and skin care product. I only ever cooked with it so finding how great it is for skin is brilliant news. Enjoy trying this wonder ingredient out, Thanks very much for your votes!

torrilynn

5 years ago

hi suzie, really nice hub you have here. i never knew what turmeric was until i came across your hub. and the fact that it helps fight wrinkles is amazing. thanks. voted up.

Ishwaryaa Dhandapani

5 years agofrom Chennai, India

An informative and well-written hub! You highlighted the importance of turmeric to a T! I voted in your poll - Yes and it works a treat!

I often used a spoonful of gram flour, 2 spoons of whole milk (for dry skin, milk cream is included), a pinch of pure turmeric, a few drops of fresh lemon juice and a few drops of natural rosewater not only for my body but also for my face. I scrubbed my face & body well and washed it off after 20 minutes. My face & body glowed a lot. I use this every weekend and before outings and weddings. This is an extremely popular beauty facial scrub in India.

Once again, a wonderfully written hub! Well-done!

Thanks for SHARING. Useful, Awesome & Interesting. Voted up & shared

AUTHOR

Suzanne Ridgeway

5 years agofrom Dublin, Ireland

Hi teaches,

Great to have your continued interest and support! Much appreciated, glad you enjoyed this one!

Dianna Mendez

5 years ago

Another great article on beauty treatments. I am learning so much from your posts!

AUTHOR

Suzanne Ridgeway

5 years agofrom Dublin, Ireland

Hi Vinaya,

Many thanks for dropping by, delighted to hear you know the tips and are so familiar with them, i hope i did this wonderful ingredient justice. Many thanks for your comments it is a pleasure to spread the word on the great qualities of turmeric.

Vinaya Ghimire

5 years agofrom Nepal

Suzie,

We use turmeric as spices, herb to cure many ailments and beauty remedies. I knew many of the tips by heart, because we have been using turmeric in our culture since ages.

Thanks for sharing these beauty recipes to the world.

AUTHOR

Suzanne Ridgeway

5 years agofrom Dublin, Ireland

Hi Barbara,

many thanks for the visit here! You need to apply it in small amounts and go thinly, particularly on areas like the neck where the skin is thinner. Light staining may occur but comes off easy enough. Appreciate you asking me this ans for your interest! Thanks very much!

AUTHOR

Suzanne Ridgeway

5 years agofrom Dublin, Ireland

Hi Bill,

Many thanks for taking an interest here. Turmeric is definitely one of the ingredients many of us have been in the dark about as to it's great skin benefits, me included. Appreciate your input and lovely comments, votes shares etc . . .Have a great weekend my friend!!!

AUTHOR

Suzanne Ridgeway

5 years agofrom Dublin, Ireland

Hi Kathryn,

Cheers for dropping by. I know, turmeric for many of us is more familiar as a great spice or dye rather than a beauty or skin product. Thanks for commenting!

Barbara Badder

5 years agofrom USA

I'm going to try a few of these. My question is though, does it stain? Tumeric is used in pickles and changes the color of them. I love this hub. Good job.

Bill De Giulio

5 years agofrom Massachusetts

Hi Suzie. It's amazing how all of these natural ingredients are so beneficial in so many areas. My only knowledge of turmeric was as an Indian spice used in cooking. I never realized that it was so good for the skin. Another great job here. You are building quite the library of these DIY beauty hubs. VU, sharing, etc....

Kathryn

5 years agofrom Manchester, Connecticut

This is very interesting! Thanks for sharing, I never knew it could be used this way!

AUTHOR

Suzanne Ridgeway

5 years agofrom Dublin, Ireland

Hi Carol,

Lovely to see you back for more DIY beauty! Glad you enjoyed this and many thanks for giving it the thumbs up and for pinning!!

AUTHOR

Suzanne Ridgeway

5 years agofrom Dublin, Ireland

Hi parkavithai,

Many thanks for your first hand insight to turmeric use in India, it is very much appreciated. As with any topically applied ingredient there is always a chance someone may be allergic even if it is a remote possibility, hence why I mentioned it here. i do in any of my homemade beauty recipes. i am sure it is very remote though but I thank you for pointing this out to me. Glad you enjoyed, much appreciate your visit!

carol stanley

5 years agofrom Arizona

I love all your recipes in the beauty department...I am making a special file for them and of course pinning for others to read..Keep them coming!!!

parkavithai

5 years ago

Yes, you are right Suzie - In India, we use Turmeric in our daily life both for cooking and for external purposes. Turmeric is a holy thing in India.

One thing I have to mention here, that is in India we used to apply Turmeric for whatever the skin problems, skin allergies, and even when any insect bites you. So, I am very sure you won't get any allergic symptoms when you apply Turmeric.

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